RORY GALL, Within the music business, is long been held that Rory Gallagher presents ‘a quandary to the zealous rock critic ‘ever prepared to take a detached and highly objective view. For no matter how critical you are of Rory’s music, a conversation with the guy inevitably becomes a conversion to the faith The Blues and rock and roll are Rory Gallagher's religion, and his conviction and sincerity in the way he projects it is vital weapon in overcoming all obstaces. Gallagher's approach to the music business is best summed up by his own actions. When, for instance, he joined Chrysalis Records after many Years on Polydor, he did not insist that the new company flood the Under ground and the newspapers with his photographs. The criteria for Chrysalis was concise. Just make sure the records are in the shops when the people want them. “It's up to me to make good records and do good shows,” he said at the time. “It's a pretty ‘Simple Simon approach, but that's the way I want it.” Ithas always been that straight- forward. If there's one word that can ‘commonly apply to every facet of Gallagher's world, it's “basic”. Records, life on the road, life off the road all honour that. One of the joys of Rory Gallagher is that his concerts are as enjoyable today as they were when he first started gigging in England with Taste, because Of the freshness and energy he per- sonally injects into them, with, of course, the help of his excellent band, Gerry McAvoy (bass), Lou Martin (keyboards) and Rod Death (drums), ‘Over a year ago | spent some time con the road with Rory and his band on a tour of America and I can honesty say that it was an uplifting, refreshing experience, | heard that band play night after night and not once did I tire of their music, quite simply because they treated the music as music, and nothing, but nothing, was planned. Every night he would go out and start